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| European Rail Pass FAQ |
- Which European countries does the Eurail pass cover?
- Which european countries does the Europass cover?
- How do I validate my pass?
- How do I use my validated rail pass?
- When is a seat reservation required?
- Do European cities have more than one train station?
- How do I make a train reservation?
- What is the difference between the consecutive day pass and the flexipass?
- How do I use a Flexipass on an overnight train?
- What is the difference between first and second (coach) class?
- Which tickets listed are first and second (coach) class?
- Do trains provide meals?
- Does my pass include a sleeper?
- What if I run out of days?
- What if my rail pass gets lost or stolen?
- What is the Rail Protection Plan work?
Which
European countries does the EuRail pass cover?
Eurail passes entitle you to unlimited travel on Europe's extensive
100,000+ mile rail network in the 17 western countries of Europe. These
17 countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. England, Scotland, and Wales
are not included. [top of page]
Which
European countries does the Europass cover?
The Europass covers France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Additional
country zones may be purchased and added to the Europass ticket. [top
of page]
How
do I validate my pass?
Validating your rail pass is one of the first things you'll do when arriving
at the train station. Validation is required once and commences the time
period of validity for your pass. Do not fold or make any marks on your
rail pass prior to validation. When arriving at the train station on your
first day of travel proceed to a ticket window and present your rail pass
along with your passport and/or other positive identification. The attendant
will then write in the beginning and ending dates of activity for your
rail pass and your passport number. To make sure the dates entered by
the attendant are correct, you may want to write down the beginning and
ending dates on a separate piece of paper and present it along with your
pass. Make sure that you and the rail representative are in agreement
with the dates before she writes on your pass. This is especially helpful
if you are pre-validating your pass. Be sure the dates are written in
the European format of day/month. The conductor will fine you if you board
a train with an un-validated pass. To avoid additional expenses and/or
inconveniences, allow yourself the extra time to validate your pass before
departure. If the dates or passport number entered by the rail attendant
are incorrect, point it out immediately. Do not use the pass and proceed
to the nearest Rail Aid office to have it exchanged. In the event that
you validate or pre-validate your pass and do not use it, have the pass
stamped "not-used" by a rail representative so you may use it
again. [top of page]
How
do I use my validated rail pass?
After having your pass validated, you're free to use the trains as much
as you like within the validity of your pass. Holders of a consecutive
day passes have virtually nothing left to do with their passes other than
presenting their passes on the train or making an occasional reservation.
Holders of a flexipass must write the day's date of travel (in ink) on
their pass in the appropriate box before boarding the train. Failure to
do so will result in a fine being levied. Be careful when entering the
travel date on your pass, as incorrect dates result in the loss of the
travel day. Tampering with the pass will result in a fine and/or confiscation,
so be particularly careful when entering the days on your pass. When the
train is underway, the conductor will come by to check tickets. Have your
pass ready to present when asked. If the train makes a number of stops
en-route you may need to present your pass a few more times, especially
on long-distance trains when there is a personnel change. At some international
borders you will need to present your pass to border patrol personal.
Have your passport and identification ready and be cooperative. [top
of page]
When
is a seat reservation required?
With your EuRail pass you may board the train, but you are not guaranteed
a seat, sleeper, or couchette. To guarantee a seat, you must purchase
a reservation. There is an additional fee for reservations in addition
to your pass price. Most trains are open seating and a seat reservation
is not mandatory, but seat reservations are required for most high-speed
trains, such as TGV, Pendolino, Thalys, Eurostar, X2000, and highly recommended
for ICE and certain InterCity and EuroCity trains.
Friday and Sunday
afternoons and evenings are peak travel periods for Europeans, so you
might consider a seat reservation. All long distance trains in Spain,
Romania, and most in Norway and Sweden require seat reservations. Many
in Belgium, Netherlands, and Switzerland do not offer them. Seat reservations
cannot be made in the USA for Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia,
and FYROM. [top of page]
Do
European cities have more than one train station?
Most major cities around the world have more than one major train station.
Determine before you travel if your departure or transfer city has more
than one station. Make sure, if you are changing trains to continue to
your destination, that the train departs from the station where you arrive.
Ask at the information booth at the stations for more information. [top
of page]
These
European cities have more than one rail station:
Antwerp, Athens, Barcelona,
Basel, Belfast, Belgrade, Berlin, Bilbao, Boulogne, Brussels, Bucharest,
Budapest, Calais, Casablanca, Cologne, Como, Copenhagen, Dover, Dublin,
Dunkerque, Essen, Exeter, Folkstone, Geneva, Genoa, Glasgow, Halsingborg,
Hamburg, Harwich, Hendaye, Irun, Le Havre, Leningard, Liege, Lisbon, Liverpool,
Lodz, London, Lyon, Madrid, Malmo, Manchester, Marseilles, Milan, Moscow,
Munich, Naples, Newhaven, Oporto, Orleans, Oslo, Paris, Portsmouth, Prague,
Ramsgate, Rome, Rotterdam, San Sebastian, Seville, Southampton, Stockholm,
Tilbury, Tours, Turin, Venice, Vienna, Warsaw, Weymouth, Wiesbaden, Zurich.
[top of page]
How
do I make a train reservation?
If you are reserving from North America, you may do so through Rail Europe.
You may also reserve directly at the train stations in Europe. We recommend
making them at least 24 hours in advance. Seat reservations are about
$11 USD per person, per train, and are nonrefundable. Sleeper fares are
based on distance and range from $25 to $200 USD. Couchette reservations
are about $28 USD per person. Reservations can be confirmed up to two
months prior to the date of travel. Please note prices are subject to
change due to international exchange rates. [top of page]
What
is the difference between the consecutive day pass and the flexipass?
The consecutive day pass is valid for the number of days purchased, one
day after another. For an example, a 15-day pass is 15 days in a row,
such as - June 1st through June 15th. You do not have to travel every
day, but you do not get a refund for unused days. Flexipasses give the
flexibility of purchasing a number of rail days to be used within a certain
time frame. Depending on the pass, it may be 15 days, 1 month, or 2 months.
This allows you to spend time sight seeing between your days of train
travel. [top of page]
How
do I use a flexipass on an overnight train?
Holders of a flexipass (Eurail and Europass) may take advantage of the
"Overnight Rule" and save a day of travel. With the flexipass,
if an overnight train leaves after 7:00 p.m. and arrives the next day
(after 12:00 a.m.), write in the next day's date in the appropriate box
on your pass. Since the majority of train travel is taking place the next
day, you will only be charged for one day, provided you didn't do any
traveling before 7:00 p.m.. Otherwise, you will be using two travel days.
If the train leaves before 7:00 p.m., purchase a point-to-point ticket
from the departure city to the first city that the train arrives after
7:00 p.m.. That way, you'll be able to take advantage of the Overnight
Rule and save a travel day in the process. [top of page]
What
is the difference between first and second (coach) class?
First class is more quiet and spacious with fewer seats per compartment
or car. There is more room for luggage and generally will be less crowded
as most Europeans travel in second class. [top of page]
Which
tickets listed are first and second (coach) class?
The adult-, senior-, and child-fare EuRail and Europass (saverpass and
flexipass) tickets available from TravelNow.com are first class tickets.
The youth-fare tickets are only available as second (coach) class. This
means if a family of five travels together—two adults, two youth,
and one child—the adults and the child will be seated in first class
and the two youths will be seated in second (coach) class. You have the
option of purchasing adult-fare tickets for youth travelers. [top
of page]
Do
trains provide meals?
Most long-distance trains have a restaurant or buffet car and some have
bar cars. Meals are usually not available on overnight trains, but if
they are, the sleeping car attendant will take your continental breakfast
order. On shorter trips, snack vendors travel regularly through the train.
Feel free to bring your own food and make a picnic on the train. [top
of page]
Does
my pass include a sleeper?
Your rail pass does not cover sleepers. Night trains require an advance
reservation for a sleeper or couchette. If you will be utilizing a night
train, it is necessary to make an advance reservation and there will be
an additional charge. [top of page]
What
if I run out of days?
If you are traveling with a rail pass and either your pass expires or
you use all the days, it is not possible to add days on to your pass.
If you purchased a flexipass and determined before you ran out of travel
days that you would need more, purchase point-to-point tickets for the
shortest trips and save your pass for the long-distance trains. Short
trips are typically inexpensive and you'll save even more by using your
pass for long trips. [top of page]
What
if my rail pass gets lost or stolen?
Refunds will not be made for rail passes or vouchers that are lost, stolen,
mutilated or destroyed. BritRail will not be responsible unless you have
insurance. [top of page]
A RailPass Protection Program is available for $15 per pass and must be purchased at the same time as the rail pass. In the event of loss or theft of your rail pass while traveling in Europe you will be reimbursed for the unused portion of the pass. This insurance is non-refundable. [top of page]
How does the Rail
Protection Plan work?
While in Europe, if your rail pass is lost or stolen report the loss/theft
to the local police within 24 hours and obtain a police report. Purchase
point-to-point tickets or obtain another rail pass for the remainder of
your trip. Keep all your travel receipts. File a claim for reimbursement
within 30 days of returning to the US that must include:
- A notarized, detailed written report of the of loss or theft,
- An official police report,
- Receipts for replacement tickets.
- You will be reimbursed
for the unused portion of your rail pass.
[top of page]
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